It was when I was taking my daily constitutional with Ian yesterday evening that I remembered I never wrote about my experience of doing Couch To 5K last year. Seeing lots of people running through the park, ahem, jogged my memory.
I wrote a blog post at the start of January 2019 in which I shared my reasons for wanting to do it. (The link is here). They were twofold. One, to get fitter. Two, to tone up. Nothing groundbreaking. The accompanying Instagram post was was one of the most commented upon all year. So many who’d done the same programme said it would change my life, that I’d become addicted. Some were even training for a marathon, such was their newfound passion. I gave it my all and followed the rules like I do with everything, (the rules in this case being one of many apps for the Couch to 5K (C25K) programme. I tackled it with gusto and followed it to the letter.
The app guided me through each warm up, told me when to run and when to stop and walk again. The programme was excellent and after eight weeks, I could jog for 30 minutes without stopping. Mission accomplished.
But I HATED every single minute. Yes, I was undoubtedly fitter but I was permanently starving. My route took me along the canal bank here in Skipton and I’d tell myself how fortunate I am to live in this part of the world, as indeed I am. But I began to loathe it. I was permanently terrified of a pair of over-protective swans who hissed and flapped when I approached their territory. I would arrive home puce and breathless with legs like jelly and a really sore back.
At the time, I was seeing an NHS physiotherapist for the aforementioned bad back. (I’d had chronic lower back pain for several years, long before I started C25K and had followed to the letter every bit of medical advice). He told me to keep on running, so I did. But my gut instinct told me that it wasn’t the right thing to do. I’m all for stiff muscles, but not for a constant ache. The running seemed to exacerbate the pain. To cut a very long story short, I subsequently had an MRI scan then saw a musculoskeletal specialist who advised me not to lift weights and not to jog.
Reader, I could have married him.
There were definitely other contributory factors too, for example, I used to stand for several hours each weekend watching my son play football because he used to play for several teams. There was a lot of driving involved in that too which always made my back more sore. But since I stopped jogging and lifting weights, my back has been a whole lot better. It seems to have healed.
These days, my only exercise is walking. I’m happy with that, for now at least. The Couch to 5K programme is excellent and it got me to where it said it would. But jogging is not for me. The chronic back pain was taking its toll physically, mentally and emotionally and I do not want to be in that position again. It’s so important to enjoy exercise, otherwise it becomes a chore. I honestly believe that it can be more detrimental to mental wellbeing than it is beneficial to physical wellbeing. And in these most unprecedented circumstances, looking after every aspect of one’s health is absolutely vital. I’ll stick to walking hand-in-hand with Ian.
Stay safe x
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8 comments
I know as your mum you suffered endlessly with your chronic back pain . You tried everything and listened to professional advice . But you went with your gut instinct and what your body was telling you and that was that jogging and weight bearing just exacerbated your symptoms. So you stopped .
So glad after all this time that you are a lot better with walking as your main exercise.
Jogging never suited me either . I can still run for a bus though 😂 . The only time I ever had a chronic painful back was when I lifted far too many heavy things .
In my opinion us females are not designed to run for miles and lift heavy goods and that’s coming from a retired qualified nurse and midwife . 😘
My back hurt for such a long time that I forgot what it was like to be pain-free. I know how much you worried about me when it was at its worst. And yes, I was compliant with all the physio advice and tried everything. It was only after the MRI and after seeing the MSK consultant that I knew I really should stop the high-impact exercise. And I agree. Humans aren’t designed to run long distances. We evolved to do a short sprint to catch our food!! I still feel very fit because of all the incidental exercise I do and running up and down stairs hundreds of times a day- even housework is a form of exercise isn’t it. Love you xxx
Thank you thank you thank you! I feel almost vindicated in my lack of exercise over lockdown, thanks Liz. Although to be fair I was never a fan of formal training, more about walking or cycling with purpose. In quarantine I’ve been mostly sitting or lying down, sometimes I shake things up by reclining lol 😉
Absolutely. I love walking to work and to the shops and restaurants here in Skipton. I love walking for leisure/pleasure too. But too many of us feel guilty if we’re not training hard and pushing our bodies. Sometimes reclining is exactly what is best. Take care lovely xxx
How interesting to hear your point of view on running. I started couch to 5 k and developed hip pain which turned out to be related to back problems, so I had to stop. Aside from the hip pain I have to say I found running a chore and not at all enjoyable, like you I much prefer walking! Running’s not for everyone.
It isn’t for everyone and I really believe we should listen to our bodies and stop when things get painful. The Couch to 5K programme is excellent isn’t it- it definitely works, but there’s no point carrying on if it’s painful. I’ve loved having longer walks during lockdown xxx
This could have been my own story! Such a relief to find someone else who did C25k and hated every moment. I did it twice in two separate years, for the same reasons as you, each culminating in a sub-30minute ParkRun (my biggest ever sporting achievement). When I went to the doctor in pain after the second go he advised me not to run. I loved him. Then he suggested swimming instead and I went off him. I still feel strangely guilty for giving up especially as I seem to be surrounded by obsessive runners!
You made me laugh when you said you went off the doctor after he advised you to swim!!! I felt guilty too, but I still believe that running just isn’t for me!! The C25K programme is excellent and definitely works, at least we both know we did it and achieved the end result! xxx